Well hello again! I bet you thought I forgot about throwing together another update. Welp, I’m just late again, as is my recent trend. Now don’t just stand there, come on in and take a quick read.
You can check the latest and greatest info on the Track Our Progress page.
First, the numbers:
Net Worth:
- End of Quarter 1 Balance: $2,041,820 Up $35,609 from the start of the year.
- Year to Date (YTD): Up $35,609 (1.77%)
- Since January 2018 (this is when I started tracking our net worth): Up $1,736,820
Portfolio:
- End of Quarter 3 Balance: $1,570,133 Up $25,198 from the start of the year.
- YTD: Up $25,198 (1.63%)
- Since January 2018: Up $1,330,133*
*This is total value as opposed to an internal rate of return.
Crawling Out of the Gate
Growth was relatively flat to start out this year. Hopefully, things will pick back up in Q2. I mean, it’s not like there are any disruptive world scale events going on, is there? **Ducks**
That said, with everything that has been going on, we still actually grew the accounts over this period. It’s just another great example of why it doesn’t pay to try to time the market. I could think of numerous reasons to expect a strong pullback in prices, but it really never came. Next thing you know, you’ve been sitting on a stack of cash waiting too long to deploy those dollars. The better approach would be to dollar cost average and continue to buy* whenever you can regardless of market sentiment.
*Buy broad-based index funds.
Saving and Spending Update
Our main savings goal for 2026 is to pay off the truck loan. We made good savings progress in Q1 by reducing retail spending and applying the difference to our savings account. If we can stay on track, we hope to nuke the loan before the fall.
Shaking Off Cabin Fever
March is always a turning point. As the weather warms, RV season approaches. We got out for the first trip in late March, and damn it felt good. Usually, the first trip is a shake down to see what still works and what doesn’t. Thankfully, we didn’t have too much issue this time out. Only a busted water pressure regulator and a small leak from the toilet. It could have been worse.
Property Update
Late winter and early spring is habitat improvement season at the property. This year we put a lot of effort into clearing access trails to provide a perimeter access road along the east side of the land. We also carved out a small foodplot in the woods. I’m getting a lot of experience using a chainsaw these days.
We also met up with the state forester to learn more about what trees and plants are on the land and started putting together a plan to improve the property and submit for some grant funding. If I can improve the habitat… and get paid for it, well count me in!
Q2 Look Ahead
April is tax season, and the first year I have a K-1 for my company shares. It’s also the first time we’ve used a professional accounting firm to file our taxes. I should have more to say on this once the quarter is over.
One of our goals for 2026 is to roll over Mrs. HoF’s 401k… it would be nice to get this taken care of in Q2. We’ll see.
As is our recent tradition, we’ll hit the road hard in Q2. Several RV outings and another weekend trip are in the wings. One trip I am really looking forward to in Q2 is a jaunt through South Dakota to see the Badlands, Black Hills, Custer State Park, and then dash into Wyoming to see Devil’s Tower. I’ll get to check off a few new states!
Thanks for reading! Let’s see if I can get the Q2 post out in early July this time around!
So happy you are still publishing! So many blogs have shut down. Reading about other’s journeys is so inspiring. We have been pursuing financial independence for over a decade and are definitely building the life we want, including living on a lake and buying a boat! Our kids only have one childhood and we want to make it the best we can. Keep up the good work, and I hope you keep writing!
Thanks! I think your comment about the kids having one childhood really hits home. It’s always a struggle to balance the savings with the quality of life decisions. In the end, if I was to get it wrong, I’d rather worry about making more money than wish I spent more time with them.